Hubble and James Webb Telescopes Discover 27 Puzzling Objects Beyond Neptune, Challenging Formation Models
The Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope have jointly identified 27 previously unknown Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs) orbiting the sun far beyond Neptune. These TNOs, ranging from 6 to 25 miles (10 to 40 kilometers) in diameter, are significantly smaller than most previously observed objects in this region. The observations, led by PhD candidates Anastasia Morgan and Marielle Eduardo, reveal that these small TNOs retain their pristine surface compositions, contrary to predictions from current models of their formation. These models suggested that such objects should have experienced numerous impacts, altering their surfaces. The unexpected preservation of their original state, even for 'hot' TNOs that have been gravitationally scattered, indicates that either fewer impacts occur in the outer solar system than theorized, or impacts do not affect the surfaces of small TNOs as significantly as expected. The James Webb Space Telescope's infrared capabilities were crucial in accurately dete...
